Clothing garment including an interchangeable collar

ABSTRACT

A clothing garment including an interchangeable collar includes a body having a top end defining a collar receiving portion, which has a top edge portion integral therewith. The top edge portion includes a flap integral therewith and foldable thereover. The clothing garment further includes a collar member removably attachable to the top edge portion and has a rear side and a bottom edge portion integral therewith. The clothing garment further includes an attaching mechanism disposed forward of the flap for removably attaching the collar member to the collar receiving portion. The attaching mechanism preferably includes a zipper extending along a length of the collar member and disposed on the rear side thereof. The flap is adaptable for extending substantially vertically downward from the collar receiving portion and terminating below the attaching mechanism so that the flap covers and extends along a length of the attaching mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to men's apparel and, more particularly, to a men's shirt with an interchangeable collar.

PRIOR ART

Ordinarily, shirts for men are manufactured with the collar and collar band forming an integral part of the body of the shirt and fastened thereto at the neckline by sewing. Thus, a new collar can only be affixed to the body of the shirt by removing the stitches and then sewing a new collar thereto. Usually this can be done only by those skilled in the art of sewing.

A shirt having interchangeable collars would provide many advantages over current shirts. For example, a collar could be easily changed to replace a torn or worn one. Another advantage would be to provide a shirt and collar construction in which any one of a number of a large variety of collars could be used in combination with a single shirt so that the number of shirts in a wardrobe can be substantially reduced without sacrificing a wide selection of styles and colors for various dress purposes. Another advantage would be to provide a shirt construction in which soiled collars may be changed as frequently as desired completely independently of the use of the body of the shirt.

These advantages would allow a user to have a more complete wardrobe at lower cost than would ordinarily be possible. Such a shirt would be especially beneficial to a person who travels a lot and desires to travel as lightly as possible. The shirt could be used in both informal and formal environments, eliminating the need to carry extra shirts while traveling.

Accordingly, a need remains for a men's shirt with an interchangeable collar.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shirt with an interchangeable collar. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a clothing garment including a body having a top end defining a collar receiving portion that has a top edge portion integral therewith. The top edge portion includes a flap integral therewith and foldable thereover.

The clothing garment includes a collar member removably attachable to the top edge portion and has a rear side and a bottom edge portion integral therewith. In particular, the bottom edge portion is removably engageable with the body. The clothing garment further includes an attaching mechanism disposed forward of the flap for removably attaching the collar member to the collar receiving portion. The attaching mechanism preferably includes a zipper and extends along a length of the collar member and is disposed on the rear side thereof. Of course, conventional buttons, for example, may be used rather than a zipper. The flap is adaptable for extending substantially vertically downwardly from the collar receiving portion and terminating below the attaching mechanism so that the flap will cover and extend along a length of the attaching mechanism.

The collar receiving portion further has a bottom edge portion with the attaching mechanism disposed substantially between same and the top edge portion thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a clothing garment with an interchangeable collar, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the clothing garment shown in FIG. 1 with the collar removed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the collar attaching mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of the flap covering the collar attaching mechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the collar member and collar receiving portion shown in FIG. 1 and taken along line 5-5; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the collar receiving portion shown in FIG. 2 and taken along line 6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

The clothing garment of this invention is referred to generally in FIGS. 1-6 by the reference numeral 10 and is intended to provide a men's clothing garment including an interchangeable collar. It should be understood that the clothing garment 10 may be used to provide many different types of shirts, blouses, coats and jackets with interchangeable collars and should not be limited to only men's shirts.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the clothing garment 10 includes a body 11 having a top end defining a collar receiving portion 12 that has a top edge portion 13 integral therewith. The top edge portion 13 includes a flap 20 integral therewith and foldable thereover.

Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the clothing garment 10 further includes a collar member 30 removably attachable to the top edge portion 13 and has a rear side 31 and a bottom edge portion 32 integral therewith, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 5. Of course, the collar member 30 may be produced in various colors so that one collar member 30 may be used with a variety of shirts. The collar member 30 may also be produced in various designs such as a standard, pointed collar design that can be used with a tie or a button down collar. The clothing garment 10 further includes an attaching mechanism 40 disposed forward of the flap 20 for removably attaching the collar member 30 to the collar receiving portion 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the attaching mechanism 40 includes a zipper 41 extending along a length of the collar member 30. Such a zipper is disposed on the rear side of the collar member, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 3. Of course, the attaching mechanism 40 may include conventional buttons for engaging the collar member 30 with the body 11, as well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The flap 20 is adaptable for extending substantially vertically downwardly from the collar receiving portion 12 and terminating below the attaching mechanism 40 so that the flap 20 can cover and extend along a length of the attaching mechanism 40, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 4. Advantageously, the flap 20 hides the attaching mechanism 40 so that a casual observer is not aware the collar is interchangeable.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the collar receiving portion 12 further has a bottom edge portion 14 with the attaching mechanism 40 being disposed substantially between same and the top edge portion 13 thereof, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 6. In particular, the bottom edge portion 14 is removably engageable with the body 11.

The clothing garment 10 makes it easy to transform conventional garments into a dress or formal wear shirt, or a casual, collarless shirt depending on the occasion. The clothing garment 10 is especially designed for men who want to go directly from work to a casual event without changing shirts. This eliminates the necessity of bringing another shirt to work or driving home to change. The clothing garment 10 gives users more flexibility in their wardrobe and saves money because fewer shirts will then be needed, freeing up limited closet space.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. 

1. A clothing garment comprising: a body having a top end defining a collar receiving portion and having a top edge portion integral therewith, said top edge portion including a flap integral therewith and foldable thereover; a collar member having a rear side and a bottom edge portion integral therewith, said bottom edge portion being removably engageable with said body; and means for removably attaching said collar member to said collar receiving portion, said attaching means extending along a length of said collar member and disposed on said rear side thereof; said flap being adaptable for extending upwardly along said collar receiving portion and terminating over said attaching means so that said flap covers said attaching means.
 2. The clothing garment of claim 1, wherein said collar member is removably attachable to said top edge portion.
 3. The clothing garment of claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises a zipper.
 4. The clothing garment of claim 1, wherein said flap extends along a length of said attaching means.
 5. The clothing garment of claim 1, wherein said collar receiving portion further has a bottom edge portion with said attaching means being disposed substantially between said bottom edge portion and said top edge portion thereof.
 6. The clothing garment of claim 1, wherein said attaching means is disposed forward of said flap.
 7. A clothing garment comprising: a body having a top end defining a collar receiving portion and having a top edge portion integral therewith, said top edge portion including a flap integral therewith and foldable thereover; a collar member having a rear side and a bottom edge portion integral therewith, said bottom edge portion being removably engageable with said body; and means for removably attaching said collar member to said collar receiving portion, said attaching means extending along a length of said collar member and disposed on said rear side thereof; said flap being adaptable for extending upwardly along said collar receiving portion and terminating over said attaching means so that said flap covers said attaching means, said flap extending along a length of said attaching means.
 8. The clothing garment of claim 7, wherein said collar member is removably attachable to said top edge portion.
 9. The clothing garment of claim 7, wherein said attaching means comprises a zipper.
 10. The clothing garment of claim 7, wherein said collar receiving portion further has a bottom edge portion with said attaching means being disposed substantially between said bottom edge portion and said top edge portion thereof.
 11. The clothing garment of claim 7, wherein said attaching means is disposed forward of said flap.
 12. A clothing garment comprising: a body having a top end defining a collar receiving portion and having a top edge portion integral therewith, said top edge portion including a flap integral therewith and foldable thereover; a collar member having a rear side and a bottom edge portion integral therewith, said bottom edge portion being removably engageable with said body; and means for removably attaching said collar member to said collar receiving portion, said attaching means extending along a length of said collar member and disposed on said rear side thereof, said attaching means being disposed forward of said flap; said flap being adaptable for extending upwardly along said collar receiving portion and terminating over said attaching means so that said flap covers said attaching means, said flap extending along a length of said attaching means.
 13. The clothing garment of claim 12, wherein said collar member is removably attachable to said top edge portion.
 14. The clothing garment of claim 12, wherein said attaching means comprises a zipper.
 15. The clothing garment of claim 12, wherein said collar receiving portion further has a bottom edge portion with said attaching means being disposed substantially between said bottom edge portion and said top edge portion thereof. 